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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 5:07 am, the temperature outside is 67.6 degrees.

Thunderstorms moved through the area yesterday. Rainfall in Townsend amounted to .62”, while the Knoxville Airport reported .28” during the past 24 hours. Today will be cool in all locations near or in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We have an 80% to 90% chance for more rain today, through tomorrow night. There is a 60% chance for rain Friday and Saturday.

Most areas near the Park are under a “Flash Flood Watch”.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED HIGHS AND LOWS TODAY

Little River is flowing at 167 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.84 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 124 cfs. The water temperature is 67.8 degrees this morning.

Other streams in the Smokies that have reporting gauges are flowing above normal.

Fishing is probably good right now throughout the Park, though it is hard to determine flows on rivers that have no USGS gauges. Some streams could be flowing high or stained.

Wherever you fish over the next few days, be aware that a stream can rise quickly due to a flash flood. You may not know there is heavy rain falling upstream. You may be surprised. The first sign of a flash flood heading your way is often stained water. If the water becomes stained, move to the bank and watch upstream. Flash floods are often accompanied by loud noise. People have told me it sounds like a train, though I have never heard that.

You don’t want to be stuck on the wrong side of the stream. That happens fairly often. You could be stuck for a while. Trying to bushwhack to a bridge can be next to impossible. So, keep an eye on what is going on.

Dry flies and nymphs will work. I am still sticking with my Summer favorites, Yellow Sally Stonefly patterns, a Yellow Neversink Caddis, Yellow Stimulator, Black Foam Beetle, and a Green or Pink Weenie. Other fly patterns may work as well or better.

Lake fishing is probably good too. You run the risk of being caught in a thunderstorm, which is not fun at all. But, it will likely be overcast each day, at times, which is good for fishing. My advice is, launch your boat and stay fairly close to the ramp so you can exit quickly if needed.

I ordered two re-arm kits for our self inflating life vests and they arrived yesterday. I also bought Jack a new one. They are made by Mustang Survival and they feature HIT hydrostatic technology.

Unlike some less expensive life vests, you can get these wet, without having them self inflate. Hydrostatic life jackets are triggered by being submerged in water, 4” below the surface. The water pressure triggers the inflation module. Re-arming kits cost about $80 each, and are good for 4 or 5 years.

These vests are comfortable to wear. They can save your life.

I read the news every morning before writing this report, hoping to find interesting stories for you to enjoy. This year, I have read some awful drowning stories. I don’t like to talk about them on this report because they are depressing to read.

I have never heard of a fisherman drowning in a Smokies stream and I have lived here 25 years. I’m not saying it has not happened, I’ve just not heard about it. Other people have drowned in the Park and I knew about them. None were fishing.

But, lakes and boats are different. Many drowning’s occur at the dock. The victims fall, entering or exiting the boat, they are knocked unconscious, and slide into the water. A week or so ago, a man pulled up to the gas pumps at a marina on Norris Lake. He took his life jacket off, tried to step on the dock and fell in. He died.

So, from this day forward, Paula and I will be wearing our self inflating vests at all times, on the dock or on the boat. That may seem foolish to some. Not me. I’ve spent much of my life in boats. I have seen things happen, that are almost unimaginable. I’ve had a few close calls myself.

I’m sorry to get into this subject but I hope you stay safe. Wearing a self inflating life vest is one step in the right direction. I hope Jack wears his new vest. They don’t work unless you are wearing them.

Kill switches on motors save lives too. If you are driving a motor boat, hook the lanyard to your body. If you get thrown out, the motor stops running immediately. They don’t work either, if they are not attached to you. Many boaters don’t think it’s worth the time to hook a lanyard to your body. I can’t for the life of me figure out why.

Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.

Byron Begley
August 1, 2018

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com